President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for swift and effective measures to resolve the shortage of doctors, nurses, and health workers in the country's hospitals.

"The number of physicians in the country is extremely low. Prompt action is needed regarding the recruitment of doctors," he said, adding that there is a severe shortage of nurses, particularly in hospitals. "Furthermore, arrangements for recruiting technicians and medical assistants, as well as providing them with training, must be made very quickly."

He made these remarks on Sunday evening (November 1) while speaking as the chief guest at the annual scientific conference and AGM-2026 of the Society of Otolaryngologists and Head-Neck Surgeons of Bangladesh, held at the Hotel InterContinental in the capital.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir pointed out that while medical equipment is often procured for hospitals, the necessary manpower to operate it is frequently lacking.

"Even when dialysis machines are brought in, they remain unused due to a shortage of necessary personnel. This situation must change. Alongside purchasing medical equipment, it is essential to ensure skilled manpower to operate them," he noted.

He further stated that initiatives are underway to procure medical equipment worth approximately BDT 16 billion (16,000 crore).

However, noting that equipment purchased in the past often remained boxed up in various places, he cautioned, "You cannot bring in machinery and then have no personnel to run it; that simply will not do."

The President emphasized that along with purchasing medical equipment, arrangements for technicians, medical assistants, and proper training must be expedited. Otherwise, people will fail to receive expected healthcare services despite the presence of modern equipment.

Observing that rural people are effectively deprived of proper healthcare, he added that even district sadar hospitals suffer from mismanagement, negligence, and corruption, preventing ordinary citizens from receiving correct medical treatment.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged the relevant authorities to take effective steps to resolve these fundamental problems.

Stating that healthcare is a fundamental human right, the President stressed the need to build a suitable healthcare system to ensure adequate medical services for the poor and ordinary people.

At the same time, he called upon physicians to discharge their duties with greater humanity and sincerity, while also advocating for the establishment of a national healthcare system to guarantee proper medical services for all citizens of the country.

In his speech, the President recalled the contributions of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and late former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to the development of the country's medical sector. He also reiterated the current government's commitment to ensuring "health for all."

Prior to his address, the President was presented with a commemorative crest.

Presided over by the organization's convener, Prof. Dr. Md. Mazharul Shahin, the event featured a welcome address by its member-secretary, Prof. Dr. Hasan Zafar.

Special guests who addressed the gathering included Prof. Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, Minister for Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare; Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, Minister for Health and Family Welfare; Dr. S. M. Ziauddin Haider, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Health Affairs; Prof. Dr. M. M. Rafiqul Islam Bachchu, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Prof. Dr. Farhad Halim Donar, Chief Adviser of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB); and Prof. Dr. Harun Al Rashid, President of DAB.